Championships in Florida -- and they expect to bring home medals.

The nine men and nine women will fly out over the weekend looking to repeat previous successes in the biennial event when they compete against opponents from South America and the Caribbean region.

Competition at the Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale starts today and continues through next week until Sunday, September 12.

The team will compete in the Masters (over-25) bracket. They range in age from the youngest, former Bermuda Olympic swimmer Mike Cash, in his early 30s, to veteran Chris Smith, in his mid-60s.

Coach and former British international swimmer Duncan Newby will compete despite having been weakened by his fight against cancer and the extensive surgery he underwent last year.

Newby expected several members of the team to medal, especially those who medalled in the previous two championships in Barbados and Mexico.

Those included Sarah Manuel, Kevin Insley, who smashed a string of records in Mexico two years ago, and Kris Cash.

Newby himself medalled at both previous championships, but did not expect to do so well this time.

Although the US are staging the event, swimmers from the host nation will not be taking part. Florida is seen as a convenient venue as the air transport hub of the region.

The team have been sponsored to the tune of $5,000 by XL Capital.